Hurricanes sign Jackson Blake to eight-year contract

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed Jackson Blake to an eight-year, $45 million contract extension.

Blake still had one year remaining on his three-year, entry-level contract with a $905,833 cap hit, and was set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the 2025-26 season. One of the possible factors for getting this extension done so soon is the fact that his eight-year term will be outlawed next season once the new CBA kicks in.

“Jackson had an outstanding rookie season, and we think he is just scratching the surface of the player he can be,” said Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky in a statement announcing the signing. “His tenaciousness on the puck and competitiveness match our team’s culture and we’re excited about his future with our club.”

While Blake’s total dollars on his extension would indicate that he has a $5.625 million cap hit, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman reports that some of the money will be deferred (another thing that will be outlawed in the new CBA), which knocks the cap hit down to the $5.1 million range. The exact amount is not known at this time.

Based on the projected total, Blake will have the 105th to 110th highest cap hit among forwards when his extension kicks in in 2026-27. His closest cap hit comparables would likely be Bryan Rust, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and J.T. Compher.

Blake is coming off a solid rookie season with the Hurricanes, where he had 17 goals and 17 assists for 34 points in 80 games. He had played just one game with the Canes in the 2023-24 season after finishing his college season with the University of North Dakota.

Blake had similar numbers in the postseason as well, with three goals and three assists for six points in 15 games for the Hurricanes, as they were eliminated in the third round of the playoffs.